Earlier in the year we took  a trip up to Northumberland, a part of the world new to me but one that I’d been meaning to explore for awhile. Being so close to the Scottish border we tend to usually carry on travelling past the border but there is some wonderful unspoilt coastline to explore in Northumberland.

Northumberland, England

Nikon D800E with Nikon 14-24mm Lens, 2.5 Secs at F11, ISO50, ND 6 stop filter

Going with the Wideangle lens I was looking to get low and emphasizer the rockpool in the foreground, and use the natural lines in the rock to lead the eye into the picture. With such a dark sky a Neutral density graduated filter wasn’t necessary but I used a 6 stop ND to blur the incoming tide. In post production (Photoshop CS5) I selected the foreground rockpool area, feathered the selection then used the levels tool (Ctrl + L) to lighten this area.

Northumberland, England

Nikon D800E with Nikon 24-70mm Lens, 4 Mins at F10, ISO200, ND 6 stop filter

This was the same location but a little further down the beach, which is a few miles south of Berwick upon Tweed where we were based. In the end the dusk was a bit gloomy and I didn’t get the splash of colour I was hoping for.

Cheswick Sands, Northumberland, England

Nikon D800E with Nikon 24-70mm Lens, 1/100th  at F11, ISO200

The long grass at Cheswick Sands bathed in January afternoon light, although travelling to this part of the world at this time of year doesn’t guarantee good weather, you do get these locations to yourself.

Bamburgh, Northumberland, England

Nikon D800E with Nikon 24-70mm Lens, 1/60th  at F8, ISO200

I was wondering around in the long grass south of Bamburgh Castle, looking for a possible location, when the sun broke through the clouds briefly. I photographed it, then realised I should have been at the other end of the beach, north of the castle, from there I’m sure it was a better shot, live and learn…

Bamburgh, Northumberland, England

Nikon D800E with Nikon 24-70mm Lens, 1/100th  at F8, ISO200

Berwick upon Tweed, Northumberland, England

Nikon D800E with Nikon 24-70mm Lens, 20 secs at F20, ISO50, ND 6 Stop Filter

This is the lighthouse at Berwick upon Tweed seen from across the harbour, it had been another overcast day on the east coast but i wanted to salvage something from it. Using the 6 stop Neutral Density to soften the water gave this a minimalist low key look. I like the stillness and emptiness to this shot.

Berwick upon Tweed, Northumberland, England

Nikon D800E with Nikon 24-70mm Lens, 30 secs at F8, ISO50, ND 6 Stop Filter

Carrrying on with a similar theme to the afternoon before, again I had an overcast sky to work with, so went with the blue monochromatic look and  a simple composition. The pier was a natural lead in line,  I got down low so I could exclude the paving slabs on the lower level to camera right. This was shot after the sun had set, when even on the most overcast days you will still get a blue colour tone before night falls.

St Mary’s Lighthouse, Holy Island, Northumberland, England

St Mary’s Lighthouse, Holy Island, Northumberland, England – Nikon D800E with Nikon 24-70mm Lens, 25 secs at f16, ISO50, ND 6 Stop Filter

On the final evening of the trip, on the drive south I finally got some light i was happy with, This is taken at Holy Island, a great location just north of Newcastle. My photography began on winter evenings at Portland Bill, shooting long exposures of the lighthouse on the southern tip of the isle, I still love shooting them..

St Mary’s Lighthouse, Holy Island, Northumberland, England

Nikon D800E with Nikon 24-70mm Lens, 281 secs at f11, ISO50, ND 6 Stop Filter

We stayed in Berwick upon Tweed for the five day trip at a beautiful cottage found on http://www.coastalretreats.co.uk, would highly recommend them to anyone else heading to the area. I’m sure I’ll be back to this part of the world some day, I didn’t do justice to many of the locations of this part of the north east coast.